Portland OR vs Santa Rosa CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Portland, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
Santa Rosa, CA
California · Population: 129,239
- Median HH Income$173,670
- Median Home Price$720,443
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+65.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Santa Rosa
129,239
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Portland
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
Median Age
Portland
38.6
Santa Rosa
34.5
Santa Rosa +
Foreign Born
Portland
12.4%
Santa Rosa
45.4%
Santa Rosa +
White
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Santa Rosa
31.9%
Black
Portland
5.8%
Portland +
Santa Rosa
2.1%
Asian
Portland
8.1%
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Santa Rosa +
Hispanic
Portland
11.3%
Santa Rosa
16.1%
Santa Rosa +
Spanish at Home
Portland
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
| Metric | Portland, OR | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 642,715 | 129,239 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.6 | 34.5 | Santa Rosa + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 45.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| White | 70.1% | 31.9% | Portland + |
| Black | 5.8% | 2.1% | Portland + |
| Asian | 8.1% | 47.6% | Santa Rosa + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 16.1% | Santa Rosa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Portland
$88,792
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Income
Portland
$55,312
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Portland
$63,691
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Santa Rosa +
Unemployment Rate
Portland
5.5%
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poverty Rate
Portland
12.8%
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Santa Rosa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Portland
53.5%
Santa Rosa
65.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,792 | $173,670 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $55,312 | $84,533 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $77,230 | Santa Rosa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 7.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.5% | 65.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Portland
$538,687
Portland +
Santa Rosa
$720,443
Homeownership Rate
Portland
52.8%
Portland +
Santa Rosa
41.2%
| Metric | Portland, OR | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $538,687 | $720,443 | Portland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.8% | 41.2% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
355
Portland +
Santa Rosa
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
3001
Santa Rosa
2388
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 503 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2388 | Santa Rosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
28.5%
Santa Rosa
26.5%
Santa Rosa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Portland
18.3%
Santa Rosa
16.7%
Santa Rosa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Portland
17.7%
Santa Rosa
15.8%
Santa Rosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Portland
11.7%
Santa Rosa
11.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.5% | 26.5% | Santa Rosa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 10.4% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 16.7% | Santa Rosa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 10.4% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 15.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 11.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
51.6°F
Portland +
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
78.3 in
Santa Rosa
32.2 in
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 59.2°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 78.3 in | 32.2 in | Santa Rosa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Rosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Portland
55.0%
Santa Rosa
75.0%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Rosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Santa Rosa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Portland
26.5 min
Santa Rosa
25.2 min
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.5 min | 25.2 min | Santa Rosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Rosa leads in median household income at $173,670, while portland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $538,687. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Santa Rosa. Santa Rosa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Santa Rosa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Rosa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
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